Below Deck Down Under Season 3: 6 Indicators of Lara Rigby’s Declining Leadership (Is She at Risk of Being Fired?)

Chief Stew Lara Rigby has been at the helm of Below Deck Down Under, but recent developments suggest her grasp on leadership might be faltering. Following Aesha Scott’s impressive stint as Chief Stew in Below Deck Mediterranean, expectations were high for Lara’s transition. While she brings valuable experience, her leadership style lacks the engaging spirit seen in her predecessor, leading to challenges in her management.

The season has been marred by conflict, primarily between Lara and Bosun Wihan Du Toit, whose laid-back attitude and romance-focused demeanor clash with Lara’s more serious approach. Additionally, her relationship with Captain Jason Chambers doesn’t have the same camaraderie that existed between him and Aesha. This article examines key indicators that may signal Lara’s potential departure in season 3 of Below Deck Down Under.

6 Marina Is Discontent With Her Role

Marina Confronts Lara and Captain Jason

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Steward Marina Marcondes de Barros has expressed her dissatisfaction regarding her duties under Lara’s leadership. After Lara outlined a plan where the stewards would alternate between service and housekeeping, Marina found herself continually assigned to housekeeping, while Brianna received service duties. Essentially, Marina felt penalized for her efficient performance.

In a direct confrontation, Marina highlighted her feelings of being overlooked. Lara attempted to rationalize her staffing decisions by citing Brianna’s expertise with cocktails. However, Marina found this justification lacking, and their initial respect for Lara appears to be waning.

5 Captain Jason Is Frustrated With Lara and Wihan’s Dispute

He Urges Them to Resolve Their Differences

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Captain Jason’s patience is wearing thin regarding the ongoing feud between Lara and Wihan. What began as a simple misunderstanding escalated into a significant conflict, jeopardizing both of their positions. The situation worsened after a foam party event resulted in chaos onboard.

During the aftermath, while guests remained oblivious, deckhand Johnny Arvanitis was left to manage the cleanup alone until early morning. Meanwhile, Wihan neglected his responsibilities, leading to tensions flaring when Lara confronted him over his lack of professionalism. Despite her frustrations, this confrontation could have repercussions for her leadership.

4 Captain Jason Appears to Favor Wihan

Wihan Is Quick to Seek Captain Jason’s Support

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Although Captain Jason strives to maintain neutrality, Lara’s situation aboard the Katina could become precarious if he sides with Wihan, especially as their tensions have persisted since the start of the season. Captain Jason has expressed disappointment in both Wihan’s lack of accountability and Lara’s disputes with him.

He has indicated to Wihan that his behavior needs improvement, wanting to hold him accountable without resorting to immediate penalties, which could endanger Lara’s position considering her limited rapport with the captain.

3 Lara and Chef Tzarina’s Relationship Is Strained

A Potential Feud Is on the Horizon

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The dynamics between Lara and Chef Tzarina are becoming increasingly volatile, and a feud could compromise Lara’s authority further. Their partnership, once amicable, now faces strains due to conflicting leadership styles, exacerbated by their close quarters in living arrangements.

While Chef Tzarina initially accepted Lara’s jokes, underlying tension is growing as demands rise. The chef perceives Lara as overly controlling, while Lara feels burdened addressing guest needs alone as Chef remains sequestered in the galley.

2 Adair Is Undermining Lara’s Authority

Lack of Respect for Lara’s Leadership

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Deckhand and Stew Adair Werley has consistently undermined Lara’s authority, creating an environment of chaos rather than cooperation. This disruption in roles has exacerbated errors and confusion among the crew, ultimately damaging Lara’s leadership effectiveness.

To complicate matters, Wihan’s apparent favoritism towards Adair is undermining Lara even further. His infatuation disrupts duty assignments, which only intensifies Lara’s frustration as she attempts to uphold order among her team.

1 Lara’s Leadership Style Is Rigid

Lack of Flexibility Impacts Crew Dynamics

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Lara’s strict approach may be commendable, but her inflexibility could ultimately undermine her authority as the season progresses. Insisting on perfection without accommodating her team’s needs has surfaced underlying issues as crew members voice their dissatisfaction.

By disregarding crew feedback, like Marina’s complaints about workload, Lara risks alienating her team members further. A successful leader must balance guest satisfaction with crew morale; failure to do so could result in lost control of her team dynamics. As Lara navigates these challenges, her ability to adapt will be crucial for her success.

Below Deck Down Under airs Mondays at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo, with episodes available for streaming the following day on Peacock.

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